Customs Intercepts 425.5kg Tramadol, Cannabis In Kwara

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has intercepted 425.5 kilograms of tramadol and cannabis including, foreign rice and other smuggled items worth over N204 million.

The seizures, recorded between March and May 2026, came as the command also announced a first quarter revenue generation of N3.89 billion.

This is despite the continued closure of Nigeria’s land border with the Republic of Benin.

Acting Area Controller of the command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Ogundeyi, disclosed this during the command’s third press briefing of the year in Ilorin.

Ogundeyi said the operations targeted notorious smuggling flashpoints including Bukuro, Gurumi, Sikira, Okuta, Boriya, Tewu, Bero, Sango, Okeoyi, Alapa, Malete, Bani, Offa, Idofian, Eiyenkorin and the Lagos-Ilorin Expressway.

According to him, the areas have remained under surveillance due to persistent attempts by smugglers to move prohibited and uncustomed goods into and out of the country.

He disclosed that the command seized 49.5 kilograms of cannabis and 376 kilograms of tramadol during separate operations carried out by operatives.

Other intercepted items included 155 bags of foreign parboiled rice valued at N52.4 million, 3,697 packages of macaroni pasta worth N110.9 million and 418 jerrycans of vegetable oil with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N27.1 million.

The command also confiscated 237 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit totaling 5,925 litres, 70 used tyres, 18 bales of second-hand clothing and 19 jerrycans of corrosive oxidizer chemicals.

“In summary, between the month of March 2026 to date, the command operatives have successfully recorded nine different seizures with a total Duty Paid Value of N204,763,439,” Ogundeyi said.

He said the seizures underscored the commitment of the service to suppressing illegal trade and protecting national revenue.

The acting controller added that the command generated N3,895,333,182.94 in the first quarter of 2026, attributing the performance to excise revenue and strengthened enforcement activities.

He appealed to residents of border communities to support the service with timely and credible information capable of aiding anti-smuggling operations.

He assured that the command would remain resolute in pursuing individuals involved in illegal trade while safeguarding the nation’s economic interests.